flat tire

Maintenance and Replacement Intervals for Tires

Whether you drive a luxury vehicle or not, tires can make a huge difference in how your car drives. But how often should you replace your tires? In this post we are going to look at generally when you should replace your tires, how to tell if your tires are wearing out, and what are some factors that affect tire wear. Keep reading to learn more.

Read More: Top Five Signs You Need a New Car Battery

How Often Should You Replace Your Tires?

Most tires are good for between 25,000 and 50,000 miles, which for most drivers means three to five years. After five years, experts recommend that you have your tires checked by professionals every time you go in for regular service. For luxury vehicles, this would be once per year when you go in for service. For other vehicles, this might mean every time you get an oil change. For more precise information, check your owner’s manual if it is available.
flat tire

How Can You Tell You Need New Tires?

We did a whole post about how to know when you need new tires. The most common sign is when the tread (the groves on your tire that provide traction) begins to flatten out or become “bald.” Like a pair of shoes that is getting worn out, a tire without any tread cannot provide the traction that you need. Visible cracking or too much vibration while driving can also be a sign that your tires are due for replacement.

What Factors Affect Tire Wear?

Your tire pressure (which can change from the summer to the winter), your driving style, and driving conditions can all affect tire wear. If you are regularly off-roading in a trail-worthy Jeep, tackling the track in a sleek Maserati, or just handling a paved, highway commute, each option will cause decidedly different wear and tear.

Whether or not your wheels are correctly balanced can also make a difference. Having your wheels balanced every 3,000 to 6,000 miles can help spread out the wear and tear and extend the life of your tires.